A 5th anniversary to remember

On a radiant sunny morning, more than 1,400 cyclists took the start of the 5th edition of L'Étape Slovakia by Tour de France. This year again, all the participants had the opportunity to live the Tour de France unique atmosphere from the city center of Bratislava to the beautiful countrysides of the Slovakian’s capital.

Before race day, both participants and spectators were offered a lot of activities on the race village, located in Eurovea (Bratislava’s city center). While Friday marked the start of the event with the race village opening and the organization of an International Social Ride through 3 countries (Slovakia, Austria, Hungary), Saturday was dedicated to the communities and family engagement. The Family Ride and the Kids Race gave the opportunity to the youngest champions and the beginners to live the Tour de France legend. For the participants of the main distances, a race recon was organized in the morning to the last climb with the exclusive presence of the official event ambassador: Greg Van Avermaet! And in the afternoon, the empowering “FOR HER” women’s social ride energized the L'Étape Village at Eurovea with workshops, family entertainment, and special photo zones. This “FOR HER” activation, offered in addition to the women-only social ride some themed photo moments and skincare trial zones, contributing to a rising female participation (over 17 %) across the event.

Two Routes, One Epic Finish

On Sunday, known as Race Day, two distances were offered to participants:

The RIDE, a demanding yet accessible 60km route with +900m of elevation;
THE RACE, the full-route with a distance of 112 km and +1,700m of elevation, through the forests and rolling hills of Bratislava’s surroundings.

Both routes were launched from Bratislava city center and led cyclists through the most iconic places of the capital – like the Bratislava Castle, the Apollo bridge or the UFO bridge – before bringing them to the beautiful sceneries that the city’s countrysides is offering, between forests, local villages and vineyards. A full road closure ensured a safe and competitive environment for the participants with sprints, climbs challenges, and refreshment points all along the route

The Tour de France Champions program

For its 5th anniversary, L'Étape Slovakia by Tour de France offered an even more powerful immersion in the “Grande Boucle” spirit for the participants through the “Tour de France Champions” program. Indeed, this year’s event was enriched by an extraordinary roster of ambassadors. The most iconic name this year was certainly Greg Van Avermaet, 2016 Olympic champion, Paris-Roubaix winner, x2 times stage winner on the Tour de France and wearer of the yellow jersey for 11 days. During three days, participants had the unique chance to meet the Belgium cycling star on the race village and even to ride alongside him during the race on Sunday! As every year since the first edition, the local champions Peter and Martin Velits, were once again part of the event, embodying the national cycling spirit. Other local legend from the Tour de France with x3 stage wins – including an iconic one the Champs Elysées – Jan Svorada also attended the event alongside these great champions.

But if L'Étape Slovakia by Tour de France is about cycling, the event also succeeds to attract international celebrities from other sports. Among these ones, two international Slovakian’s sport legends attended and raced the event on Sunday. The first one is a former football player – Marek Hamšík – one of the best midfielders from the last decades, legend of the SSC Napoli and iconic captain of the Slovakian national team. The second one is Zdeno Chára, former Boston Bruins’ captain, Stanley Cup winner and inducted to the Ice Hockey Hall of Fame.